Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-12-02

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In that exciting time deeds of bravery
like this, even from women, were not
rare.
The General, who had headquarters at
the Springs, and who had heard of her
arrival and her purpose, sent for her in
the evening.
She came to him with eager eyes,
awaiting the news which he had Just re-
ceved by courier from the scene of bat
tie. Beyond the Springs there were no
telegraph wires, and the couriers rode
day and night over the dangerous Indian
trails to bring the tidings.
'Is there-any-any news of him2"
she faltered.
eyes" The Generals voice almost
choked as he looked at her. How could
he break the heart of this brave young
creature, whose great love made her 50
beautiful, its unselfish purpose shining
from every featured How could he tell
her the cruel truth, with those love-lit,
starry eyes fixed so unlinching upon
hiS2
"Child," he said, his hand upon hers,
even as her fathers had been, his eyes
full of kindness, his stern voice suddenly
tender, 'your lover is dead. The courier
just in states that he died yesterday after
noon"
Not one word came from her lips. The
great eyes gave him one stricken look,
and then she felI-fell just where she
stood at his feet, like a helpless, broken
reed.
He lifted her up gently and called for
assistance. But in little while she re-
vived, rising to her feet with the old
brave determination upon her pale face
and in those deep, mournful eyes.
"Imust go to him, y she said. "They
will bury him there, and l shall never
look upon his face again. Unjust gow
The General did not attempt to dis
suade her. He felt almost reverent n
the presence of such devotion. The
gruff old soldier was moved by this girls
heart break as no scene of battle had
ever moved him.
AN escort of my best and bravest men
shall accompany you," he said. "They
will protect you and bring the body
here"
Thank you" 1t was all she could
say, but tears of gratitude rose in her
eyes as she bent low over his extended
hand.
And then for the first time she learned
the full particulars of her lovers exploit;
how he had led the scouting party, rush
ing boldly into the very face of the foe,
and by this action saving the military
from the ambush the sayages had pre-
pared for them. In moment the battle
had begun, but ere his comrades were
hand to hand with the redskins. who
seemed to Turk behind every bush and
tree, this bold young soldier had met his
fate, falling with his face to the foe.
cat least he died like hero" her
heart whispered whenever the bitterness
of her woe threatened to overwhelm her.
Two days later, after long and weary
journey, her little party reached the
soldiers camp. The boys had intrenched
themselves behind small knoll over
looking the surrounding country, forti-
flying themselves with earthworks against
any attack from the Indians. The flag
of truce was up, however, and all things
seemed for the present peaceful.
The soldiers looked with establishment
as the small cavalcade came upon them,
that girlish figure in their midst, her fair
face tinged by the sun and wind into a
warmer beauty, her dark eyes resplendent
with dauntless courage. For many,
dropped not as though. with physical
WEAKNESS, but as though the spirit
within her were slowly dying. Next to
her heart she wore his letter-the last
words his dear hand had penned. She
did not need to read them, for every
word was craven upon her memory, but
the burden of their warm love, now dead
to her for ever, was pressing more and
} more heavily upon her tender heart.
But now, at sight of these soldiers, all
her pride uprose. She sat erect in the
} saddle, the color coming and going in
her face, her eyes glowing. She raised
her head nobly, as became the woman
: who had been beloved by hero.
At sight of her the boys raised cheer.
Many of the militia knew her, and they
} were proud of her. They knew her for
: what she was-a brave, heroic girl, pure
ly, sweetly womanly, yet ready as any of
her brothers to take the weapons from
her belt and defend her life or that of
any she loved-a girl imbued with all
the glory and the strength of her native
mountains.
She acknowledged their cheers with a
sweet, grave dignity; then the leading
officer in her escort whispered something
I to the Major ere he helped her to dis
mount.
She caught the reply. 1t made her
, tremble; but with the suspicion of great
Joy, not a sorrow.
( "Not dead" were the words which
| came from her white lips with gasp.
: "No"--the Major came to her side
i quickly-"the courier made a mistake.
1t was Ned Sampson who died. Ashley
still lives, though he lies still almost at
4 deaths door"
All mistake-all horrible dream !
4 oh! such happiness was almost impossi-
BILE to realized Giving her hand to the
: Major, she almost leaped from the saddle.
Her feet seemed, like the winged Mer-
. cury's, to speed to him.
The major led the way into the tent
: where the wounded man lay, motionine
l the guard aside. Then he left her, fol.
1 lowed by the young officer who had been
2 in attendance.
Alone, the girl threw herself on hel
g knees beside herlover. But there was nc
recognition in the deep blue eyes-thost
4 proud, brave eyes that had never met
: her own save in love and tenderness
He was unconscious, with the delirinn
r of the fever upon him. The words hi
murmured were of the battle field, not Of
c the brave girl who had ridden so many
n many weary miles just to look upon hi
dead face.
n Taking up the hand that lay so help